Overview

• FIFA completed a weeklong identification camp at St George’s Park in England, the last of three led by coach Pauline Hamill to select a 23-player squad for international friendlies.
• World governing body FIFA is arranging matches later this year, with President Gianni Infantino calling the initiative an "important step in the right direction."
• Players including defender Najma Arefi and goalkeeper Elaha Safdari say they want FIFA to grant recognition so they can compete as Afghanistan in exile rather than under a refugee banner.
• The Taliban-controlled Afghan Football Federation has barred women’s sports, prompting athletes to flee and, in some cases, to destroy kits and wipe social media to protect themselves.
• Refugees rebuilding lives in the UK describe isolation, language barriers and episodes of racism, yet say football remains their platform to speak for women and girls in Afghanistan.